Author Topic: Can loneliness be cured with a pill? Scientists are now asking the question (Read 1490 times)

jmyrlefuller · « **on:** August 18, 2020, 11:27:07 pm »

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/06/loneliness-cure-pill-research-scientists

A growing number of people share her affliction â€“ so much so that some governments are incorporating loneliness into their health public policy. To help people like her, a number of scientists are researching medical solutions, such as pills and nasal sprays. But will treating loneliness like a disease, rather than an existential question, work to ease their pain?

(excerpt)

roamer_1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:35:55 pm »

In a word, no. A pill might make you content to be alone - being an introvert - But it cannot replace the craved interaction. Being an introvert myself, I make it a point to develop human interactions even though, or even because my tendency is to be content with my own company. Any human interaction improves my life. And in that, I find need to discipline myself to seek it.

'Happy pills' have always been a lie.

bigheadfred · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:46:12 pm »

roamer_1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:48:07 pm »

Quote from: bigheadfred on August 18, 2020, 11:46:12 pm

DMT

Pharmakopia

bigheadfred · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:55:32 pm »

Quote from: roamer_1 on August 18, 2020, 11:48:07 pm

Pharmakopia

Right.

Invite a couple of demons in and you would pray to Gd you were lonely again.

libertybele · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:57:38 pm »

Quote from: jmyrlefuller on August 18, 2020, 11:27:07 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/06/loneliness-cure-pill-research-scientists

A growing number of people share her affliction â€“ so much so that some governments are incorporating loneliness into their health public policy. To help people like her, a number of scientists are researching medical solutions, such as pills and nasal sprays. But will treating loneliness like a disease, rather than an existential question, work to ease their pain?

(excerpt)

I find fault with our "medical community" more often than not. Popping a "pill" usually masks the symptoms rather than resolving or curing the disease or health issue. I don't see that popping a pill is going to resolve loneliness only putting that "patient" in a different mind frame. How can a pill take the place of another human being?? Impossible. It may be able to alter the mind into thinking that they aren't lonely, but what does that truly resolve? Interacting with other humans and having some kind of emotional bond is what helps loneliness.

I think it would be more prudent and healthier to create avenues for those people afflicted to meet others whether it be joining clubs, scheduling social outings and group functions and counseling rather than handing them a pill.

If you walk into any retirement community or assisted living facility they all have some kind of daily "activity" for all of them to do together as a group - cookouts, day trips to local attractions, bingo, sing alongs, arts and crafts projects, movie nights, etc. Many have lost loved ones and are truly alone in life but this setting enables them to have human interaction. They may not be able to develop the deep emotional bonds, but they still have contact and interaction with other human beings.

libertybele · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2020, 12:00:24 am »

Quote from: bigheadfred on August 18, 2020, 11:55:32 pm

Right.

Invite a couple of demons in and you would pray to Gd you were lonely again.

corbe · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2020, 12:00:51 am »

Sure.

rustynail · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2020, 12:09:49 am »

"Can loneliness be cured with a pill?"..depends who brings them.

jmyrlefuller · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2020, 12:43:45 am »

I find itâ€”I'm not sure I can find a word for it, but some weird combination of amused yet enragedâ€”that after months of government policies that have caused loneliness to skyrocket while the same said governments refuse to give up on those same policies regardless of how effective they are at their task, now they want to promote pills as a solution instead of fixing the root issue, which is social distancing. Which, of course, countless people had warned about when they started this mess.

libertybele · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2020, 12:58:27 am »

Quote from: jmyrlefuller on August 19, 2020, 12:43:45 am

I find itâ€”I'm not sure I can find a word for it, but some weird combination of amused yet enragedâ€”that after months of government policies that have caused loneliness to skyrocket while the same said governments refuse to give up on those same policies regardless of how effective they are at their task, now they want to promote pills as a solution instead of fixing the root issue, which is social distancing. Which, of course, countless people had warned about when they started this mess.

You are absolutely correct and yes, I'd say enraged is a legitimate reaction to being "forced" into social distancing, isolation, lockdown, etc. Some people lost loved ones that they were not allowed to be with during their battle with COVID -- that's loneliness alright.

We're protecting the elderly? Really? How many are dying before they get to reconnect with their loved ones?? How many families have been isolated and now those relationships have become so distant that the relationships are forever fractured?

Yes, and now they want to throw a dang pill at the situation .... what a bunch of buttheads!

bigheadfred · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:00:24 am »

Quote from: jmyrlefuller on August 19, 2020, 12:43:45 am

I find itâ€”I'm not sure I can find a word for it, but some weird combination of amused yet enragedâ€”that after months of government policies that have caused loneliness to skyrocket while the same said governments refuse to give up on those same policies regardless of how effective they are at their task, now they want to promote pills as a solution instead of fixing the root issue, which is social distancing. Which, of course, countless people had warned about when they started this mess.

If you can't find a word make one up.

Like this.

ludicontradictadoxical

corbe · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:16:12 am »

This Covid has been tough on everyone. Especially, the already Lonely, and has even further devastated the marginalized people in society (those living on the boundaries anyway). Suicides' are way up on a National Level and if that's not a Heart Breaker enough then all the people separated from their Family and Loved Ones in Nursing Homes just wants to make me cry even more, so I make humour to keep my soul from sinking even further into this abyss.

Hoodat · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:19:11 am »

Thorazine may not cure loneliness, but it will make it so where loneliness won't matter any more.

LegalAmerican · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:19:48 am »

Get on the internet. Problem solved.

corbe · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:20:29 am »

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (From "Yellow Submarine")

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

Hoodat · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:31:16 am »

Bobby Vinton - Mr. Lonely

roamer_1 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:36:02 am »

Quote from: jmyrlefuller on August 19, 2020, 12:43:45 am

I find itâ€”I'm not sure I can find a word for it, but some weird combination of amused yet enragedâ€”that after months of government policies that have caused loneliness to skyrocket while the same said governments refuse to give up on those same policies regardless of how effective they are at their task, now they want to promote pills as a solution instead of fixing the root issue, which is social distancing. Which, of course, countless people had warned about when they started this mess.

I just refused to comply... One of my socializing exercises is to go around and pay my bills in person... That part has been curtailed... ALL banks and utilities are internet only. And that is a bummer. It may seem strange to y'all, but I really miss all them folks.

But I have been to many family events, several tailgate parties, had folks over sitting on the porch in a great Bible debate, and even been down to the river quite a bit (typical redneck summer meeting place is the swimming hole).

There are ways and ways.

libertybele · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2020, 01:37:40 am »

Quote from: corbe on August 19, 2020, 01:16:12 am

This Covid has been tough on everyone. Especially, the already Lonely, and has even further devastated the marginalized people in society (those living on the boundaries anyway). Suicides' are way up on a National Level and if that's not a Heart Breaker enough then all the people separated from their Family and Loved Ones in Nursing Homes just wants to make me cry even more, so I make humour to keep my soul from sinking even further into this abyss.

Indeed -- Grandparents separated from grandkids, parents from their adult children, clubs, church groups, gym buddies, etc., IT. IS. RIDICULOUSLY WRONG! Ya there's video chat -- but you can't hug a freakin' video!

Things for the most part are back to mostly normal, but my health and my husband's health has deteriorated significantly since the beginning of COVID.